Grouper Gear

Most grouper fishing involves bottom fishing near or in heavy cover such as rocks. Groupers are a very large, heavy, aggressive fish, so you will need a heavy rods with lots of backbone. Saltwater boat rods are a food choice, because long rods are somewhat unwieldy on a boat..

Make sure it is a saltwater heavy action rod. A saltwater rod is not just a larger version of a freshwater rod. They have stainless steel guides to protect against the corrosive action of salt water. You reel should be of the saltwater baitcasting type with very strong stainless steel gears, such as those made by Penn. Do not try to use a heavy freshwater reel. You will destroy it quickly.

Groupers have a tendency to bite hard and head into the rocks, so your terminal tackle needs to be heavy as well, such as 80-100 pound test line, 3-8 oz. egg sinkers, and 5-10/0 hooks depending on the size of your bait. You will want to use a sliding-sinker (grouper) rig. Make sure to have plenty of terminal tackle handy and ready to go. If you are going to fish for groupers, you are going to go through a lot of terminal tackle.